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Lincoln City scripted a dramatic late victory to confirm their promotion to the EFL Championship after 65 years, defeating Reading 2-1 in a thrilling League One clash.
The Imps, runaway leaders of League One, secured their place in the second tier with five matches still remaining, becoming the first team in the English Football League (EFL) to achieve promotion this season. Their latest triumph, sealed deep into stoppage time, underlined a remarkable rise for a club that was playing non-League football as recently as nine years ago, according to Sky Sports. Needing just a point to confirm promotion, Lincoln made a perfect start. Ryan One gave the visitors an early lead in the fifth minute, heading home from a set-piece to silence the home crowd. The visitors controlled much of the first half, defending resolutely and limiting Reading's attacking opportunities. The hosts pushed hard in the second half, extending their unbeaten home run pressure, but struggled to break through Lincoln's disciplined defence. Just when it seemed the Imps would comfortably see out the result, Reading struck back in stoppage time through a superb free-kick from Lewis Wing. However, the drama was far from over. In the sixth minute of added time, Jack Moylan emerged as the hero, firing home from close range to restore Lincoln's lead and spark wild celebrations among the travelling supporters. The victory marked Lincoln's 27th league win of the season and extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches. They now sit comfortably at the top of the table, 12 points clear of second place, and will turn their attention to securing the League One title. Speaking after the match, head coach Michael Skubala reflected on the achievement, saying, "It's an unbelievable feeling now. The lads have been excellent all season, and to get the job done today, to get promoted on Easter Monday, just epitomises our season," as quoted by Sky Sports. "We want to win the title, the lads have said that they definitely want to win it. It's going to be tough, but let's go and get that done as well," he added. Lincoln's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary -- from promotion out of non-League in 2017 to League One in 2019, and now a long-awaited return to the Championship for the first time since 1961. With momentum firmly on their side, the Imps will now look to cap off a historic campaign by lifting the League One title. (ANI)
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